What is Companioning? (Weekend Reading)
This week’s weekend reading is on a topic I had never heard of before seeing this article (8 Steps to Companioning). It is something called companioning. I don’t know all the details, but it appears to be very similar to the idea of mentoring or discipleship. Read through this article from Christian Works and think about how it might apply to your work with kids.
Ideas for Further Thought and Discussion
- What do you think about the idea of companioning?
- What are your thoughts on the observation that “Those we support are the experts on their experience?”
- Do you feel like to you have to have “all the answers” when you work with kids? If so, why?
- How important is stillness and silence in mentoring kids?
- Do you have a tendency to impose your own order and organization on a situation a child comes to you with? Is that a helpful thing or an unhelpful thing?
- What about the idea of “companioning” might change how you minister to hurting kids?
Wayne is the founder and executive director of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. He is a happily married father of four kids with a passion for helping young people who are going through rough times. In addition to Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne previously started I Am A Child of Divorce and Divorce Ministry 4 Kids to help kids who are dealing with the disruption of their parents' relationship. These are now part of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. Wayne speaks frequently at conferences and churches on issues related to helping kids learn to deal with difficult emotions and life in modern families.
Wayne lives with his wife, three youngest kids, three dogs and an insane collection of his kids' other pets outside of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his work with Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne is a partner in a local consulting firm, an avid reader, coaches his son's soccer team and is a proud supporter of Leicester City Football Club (and yes, for those in know, his affinity for the club does predate the 2016 championship).
You can reach Wayne at wayne@hope4hurtingkids.com.
